PAAA Annual Round the Island Relay 2012

This is my second time running with Run Forrest Run, a team comprising working adults who are passionate about running. I was invited to join them early this year to participate in another relay event which was shorter than the Round Island relay. It was Cheok Teng a.k.a Ronaldo with big balls who introduced me to them and I couldn’t be more blessed to know this awesome people, I will tell you more in a bit.

Me and Cheok Teng

I feel I’ve slacked a lot in my preparation for races, now I just go without training, without proper rest, nutrition and preparation (i.e scouting the running route, etc). And it’s really true, if you fail to plan, you’re only planning to fail. For my case, I got a blister for running without socks! Because I didn’t pack the night before, I woke up super late and I missed out a pair of socks. Fortunately it was only 6.4Km or else, my feet will be full of blisters. It was really embarrassing reaching the race venue an hour late, missed the group photo and almost got left behind by the pickup bus. Even though I was a little wasted from my cousin’s wedding the night before, there shouldn’t be any excuses for being late! Period.

Pre race team photo (I was still sleeping at home)

Quickly grabbed my race bib number from Neoh with the help of Alaga and off I went to the bus. I was really JIT. Any second later, I will be left behind and it’s gonna be a lot of hassle for the team. My drop off point was at Balik Pulau near a playground. It was probably 5.45am when we reached there. Fortunately there was a Mamak just a stone throw away, ordered two pieces of roti and a cup of hot milo. Enjoyed my breakfast and saw some runners warming up and stretching already. Walaueh, even if the fastest runner reached us, it would be at least 7am, 1 more hour to go. I wanted to take a nap but I’m afraid I can’t wake up, so I just plugged in my earphones and try to stay awake. About 6.30am most runners already left the mamak waiting at the transition area. I was sitting there alone, stoning and dreaming away. At 7.30am, I left the mamak and walked to the transition area as my teammates are here to collect my beg. They told me to get ready as the 5th runner is approaching, did some warm up runs and waited at the transition area. Few minutes later, my teammate arrived and I collected the baton from her and started running.

Teluk Bahang Dam with the team

My assignment was a 6.4km flat road with quite a scenic view, I do pass by this area when I do round island rides so I’m familiar with the roads here BUT I don’t know how far is 6.4km. This is a problem when you don’t have enough preparation. I think everyone in the team scouted their running route way earlier and it helps when you know the route. I forgot to wear my watch, so I can’t estimate when I’m nearing the end. Babi! Just run d la, can’t do much. Run run run. Wah… feeling a bit tired. Oh…almost finished, I saw my teammates at the small roundabout at the Balik Pulau town. Tekan minyak a bit, when I approached them, they kept cheering, “Turn left, go go go!!!”. Oh uh, that’s not the end, it’s only half way. Gai liao, don’t know how far more. Run run run. I overtook 2 girls on the way and a guy overtook me after the turn into the kampong area.

Running alone is really different from running in a group, that is why pacing WASN’T allowed in this race but unfortunately some unethical running group still does it despite of the rules. Anyways back to the race, being overtaken by this guy was actually a good thing for me, he was like my pacer, and I tried to stick to him as much as I could and together with the help of the super supportive and encouraging RELA escort, that made my race even sweeter. Towards my last 500M I could see a crowd of people, the guy was about 100M in front of me. I know I still have some legs in me to finish the race strong. I asked the RELA uncle, is that the end? He replied, “Should be.” But he didn’t sound very convincing, so I had to take a gamble, if that’s not the end, that’s it, I will be running on empty. I asked him should I go? He replied, “Yes you should, and you can do it”. Those words really pumped me up and I started sprinting, together with the cheers of my teammates, I ran as fast as I could. I reached them (where my teammates are cheering and clapping), I wanted to stop and walk because I’ve burned up every fuel in me BUT that wasn’t the end. WT… Neoh (7th runner) was about 20 meters away from me, alamak, I tried to push a little more, I feel like I was going to faint but I manage to pass the baton before I stopped running.

Posing with our medal and little trophy

Rested a little, and said hie to some of my teammates that I’ve never met before (because I always ponteng team training and meetings). Someone came up to me and said, “Oh….so you’re Deswyn la.” I was like yayaya it’s me the rebellious indiscipline guy. Haha. So we hopped into the car and continue cheering and supporting all 6 remaining runners. All runners were given a breakfast box special courtesy by Chef Chee Foong, organic home grown banana by Alaga, 1 bottle each drinking water and isotonic drinks sponsored by Neoh and Paris and coconut jelly. I was like feasting after my short run. Really really well prepared and the food was yummy. That's why I said I feel blessed to know this people and run with them.

It was a great experience for me because all this while, a race, marathon is always a solo effort but this race requires team work and my captain really played an important role in strategically and wisely allocating running assignments (route) according to runner’s strength and capabilities. He even had an estimated time schedule and actual time recording. I learned a lot from him. This again, proves the law of victory is inevitable. Yup, first law of victory, leadership is responsible that got us into 2nd runner up and of course every single team member who played their role. This is my first time getting placing in a running race. =)

Unofficial result from captain Chiat Fong

All smiles again

Cheers